Folding Bikes - 2009 Dahon Mu P8

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My LBS has loaned me a Dahon Mu P8 (http://www.dahon.com/us/mup8.htm) to try out and write a review for their website (http://www.bowcycle.com/bikes/blogs/viks-picks/index.php). I've been super busy at work and with my other bikes so I've let it sit in its box for far too long...:( I decided I'd start a thread here to capture my thoughts and motivate me to complete the review.

As you can see I at least have the box open and the bike out ready to assemble. The nice thing about Dahons is they come pretty much assembled so all I need to do is insert the seat & post and install the pedals.

First impressions:
- the colour is nice and it matches my Bike Friday NWT (http://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/tag/nwt/)
- I like the curved frame better than my 2007 D7
- it comes with ergonomic grips which I generally like
- it comes with fenders [good], but no rear rack [too bad]
- it comes with a seatpost pump which I've wanted to try
- it comes with Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires which I like

More to follow....

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Got her assembled...some more thoughts:
- the seatpost pump works well, but is a bit heavy
- I like that the seatpost has height markings on it for ease of adjustment
- I like the new frame hinge
- the bike feels quite light [I don't own a scale]
- I like the new main stem hinge and the plastic safety latch looks stronger/less prone to breaking
- the packing materials did a good job getting the bike to me in excellent condition without being excessive
- the fenders didn't need adjusting out of the box - nice
- saddle looks decent for a stock part
- grips and brake levers were adjusted at at a funny angle I'll be modifying that, but not a big job
- unfolding the bike reminded me of one of my Dahon gripes that the fold/unfold is cumbersome
- overall a nice looking bike

Thanks for the review so far. I'm thinking of getting the Mu P24, which is very similar to the P8, so I'm curious to hear your experiences.

What's different about the frame hinge for 09?

The V-clamp hinge actually came in on the '08 Mu, more models have it for '09. There's a solid stainless steel plate for one thing. Looks to be neater and stronger than the older hinge design (which I have on my XP). Vik or others can comment better, of course :)

OK. I was kind of wondering if the old clamp was better since it doesn't seem like the V-clamp provides a positive clamping force, because there's not enough length in the wedge part of it. It seems like it just holds the hinge closed lightly, and still allows rotational play in the hinge area. Can you compare this with your XP?

I find the 2008 V-clamp fussy to use, and prefer the old one. The rotational play means you have to align the clamp properly before unfolding the bike, otherwise you'll jam the clamp against the rear frame hinge section.

I fixed mine with loctite so there's no more rotational freedom.

I own the MU P24 and I find the clamp easy to use and solid. The only adjustment that I've had to make was to the seatpost clamp. It's kind of weird to have your seat slowly sink as you are riding. Also I notice that the MU P24 is including the mudguards with the bike for 2009. It's a shame that I had to buy mine on the 2008 model.

As for the MU P8 that you have, I don't see a plastic retaining collar for the handlebar post clamp. Did your bike come with one?

The V-clamp hinge on my P8 gave out after only one week, developing play constantly despite adjustment. It was very poor, and I returned the bike promptly.

However, I have also seen other Dahon Mu's out there, which seem to do well.

The V-clamp hinge on my P8 gave out after only one week, developing play constantly despite adjustment. It was very poor, and I returned the bike promptly.

However, I have also seen other Dahon Mu's out there, which seem to do well.

When your hinge started to fail did it affect the handling at all? I went to a shop to buy a Mu XL but didn't because it seemed to be very unstable compared to the other Mu's they had, even a Curve with 16" wheels felt more stable. I noticed that even thought the clamp was tight, it still allowed torsional play between the two frame halves.

The nice thing about Dahons is they come pretty much assembled so all I need to do is insert the seat & post and install the pedals. [emphasis added]


Just want to point out that, for US buyers at least, in order to qualify for Dahon's extended warranty, the bike must have been assembled and tuned by a qualified LBS before the customer rides it.

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Just for some follow up on my Dahon reviews I have posted some stuff on my LBS blog if you are interested in the Speed D7 and Mu P8:

Dahon Speed D7 review (http://www.bowcycle.com/bikes/blogs/viks-picks/2009/03/27/dahon-speed-d7-review/)

Dahon Mu P8 Mini-review (http://www.bowcycle.com/bikes/blogs/viks-picks/2009/05/14/dahon-mu-p8-mini-review/)

My friend Chris talks about his D7 & Mu P24 (http://www.bowcycle.com/bikes/blogs/viks-picks/2009/05/01/chris-dahons/)

Why ride a folder? (http://www.bowcycle.com/bikes/blogs/viks-picks/2009/02/06/why-join-the-fold/)